You will (most likely) not go to Mykonos for peace and quiet. You will go to this world class Mecca of cosmopolitanism, to see and to be seen; to eat in gourmet restaurants like Thioni and Krama; to chill out at stylishly opulent hotels like the Semeli; shop designer clothes at 2:00 in the morning; sip champagne concoctions at Little Venice’s Semeli the Bar; rub shoulders with the glitterati at Bao’s; go clubbing until dawn at Toy Room and then continue to party on the beach.
The sun is shining bright in the cloudless, cerulean sky. The sea is glistening against the whitewashed, sugar cube houses of the iconic old town, with the blue domed churches and maze-like alleys dotted with multi colored bougainvillea. After feasting like an Emperor for breakfast, on a glorious afternoon, you decide to head for the beach. There are so many -more than 20 in fact- to choose from. All pristinely beautiful, with golden sand and crystal clear, turquoise waters.
Mykonians are a gregarious, kind hearted lot. Though they’ve been steadfastly receiving guests from all over the planet for more than six decades now, they are quite unaffected by globalization, whilst remaining very much true to their folks and traditions. Come Christmas and it’s time for the holiday festivities in Mykonos; so locals will be sharing their age old customs and homemade culinary delicacies with families, neighbors, friends and visitors.
It might be the quintessential cosmopolitan, bacchanalian party paradise for the elite and the glitterati; but -perhap at first glance, paradoxically- Mykonos is very much true to its age old customs and traditions. This is the result of the predominant in Greece, Christian Orthodox religion; which has throughout the centuries determinedly shaped also this island’s culture, ethos and identity. One of it’s most powerful manifestations is the plethora of churches and chapels gracing the dramatic Mykonian landscape. Some say that churches in Mykonos are as many as the number of the days in a year; yet fact is that they are more than 700 -actually one per local family.
During the halcyon hippie days of the 60’s, Mykonos was a pristine paradise that lured jet setters and artists in search of their own shelter in the middle of the Aegean: Long haired boys and girls with no shoes, traipsing the whitewashed alleys of Chora and dancing their worries away next to Elizabeth Taylor, Rita Hayworth or ‘sad princess’ Soraya; while no one raised an eyebrow.
Life on the beach is as good as it gets on the island of the winds spectacular shores. To help you navigate through the abundant choices, the Semeli Mykonos luxury hotel presents the TOP 10 beaches to visit in Mykonos.
Technicolor beaches, people watching and the high life combined on the windy island that never sleeps: It is actually almost impossible not to fall in love with Mykonos. This whitewashed Cycladic island, in fact the Mediterranean’s hottest destination; has so much to offer: Pristine beauty, emblematic architecture, ancient history and myths, world class services and 24/7 gloriously glamorous fun. Wanna make the most out of your visit?
Mythology connects Mykonos and Mykonians to Dionysus: god of wine, joy and mischief. It is no wonder. Present since antiquity, this bacchanalian spirit has survived over the eons and is still going-very- strong: Contemporary Mykonos is all about celebrating life; and this is manifested in a multiplicity of ways: More than 70 traditional feasts throughout the year- which are in fact no less than zestful Dionysian affairs. And that’s not to mention the legendary Mykonian parties, with world class DJ’ s, glamour, sophistication and tons of fun; whether in private villas, iconic bars or historic clubs.
Ever since it was discovered from the bohemian bourgeois and the aesthetes of the 60’s, Mykonos became synonymous with the good life: Hedonism, glamour and pleasure in all shapes, sizes and forms. Nowadays it’s is the Mediterranean’s quintessential trendsetter in fashion, music and design- and that’s not to mention clubbing. In fact Mykonos nightlife is amongst the most deliciously outrageous; open minded and forward thinking in the planet. And it is this distinct, vibrant Mykonian vibe-joie de vivre, if you will-that to all of us at the Semeli group, serves as the greatest source of inspiration: Actually the driving force that propels us to constantly engage in fresh and exciting projects. Our latest undertaking is none other than “The Secret of Bao’s”; a just launched, super elite, micro club, which is destined to become a favorite of the jet setters; and a legend of Mykonos nightlife.
Mykonos became synonymous with partying; and its nightlife acquired legendary status ever since the 60’s and the 70’s; when Onassis, Jackie, Brigitte Bardot, princess Soraya and their cronies, started roaming the maze like streets of Chora in search of pure, unadulterated fun.